Posts in category Greenland Spring 2018
36 hours and 90 Km
You haven't heard from us for a few days…
We had an unexpected journey which started Saturday morning at 8am and ended Sunday 7pm at the open edge of the water of the North Atlantic Ocean...
36 hours and 90 Km clocked with the mission to travel in the weather window we were promised. We knew we could do it and felt we had to do it.. And we did. It was a remarkable journey which marks the determination, confidence and competence of team HurriKaren & The Storm riders, X 1.5
At the end of the ice cap and with solid team work we descended on to the sea ice, and skied 2 Km to a small boat waiting to transport us to Isortoq. We are here now in this small traditional Greenlandic village with sled dogs as the predominant residence.
We wait for transport onward but in the meantime enjoy meals together, local music, food from the shop (out of Coca-Cola :)) and wait for departure home to share our tales of this memorable journey.
So, if you find yourself listening to the stories from one of the team, just remember that they've been through a journey of discovery, challenge, laughter and more chocolate than Willy Wonka's factory ! And be patient, because behind their gleaming eyes, suntanned face and funny smell is someone who has skied 580 km crossing a continent of ice, wind, adverse weather and remarkable skies. Feed them, let them shower and know they are the same person in a different way :)
Team HurriKaren & The Storm riders, X 1.5, reporting from Isortoq, Eastern Greenland.
Mix!
Day started great with some sun and good conditions. But clouds came pushing wet snow on, and slowing us down in the afternoon-evening.
We still made over 27 Km and have a total of 77km to go !!!
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
Sunny Day!
The whole day was spent plowing through snow. In Sunshine!!
Conditions got better during the day and we got 29km today!
105 km to go!
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
day 24
Ok day! Still some snow, and some whiteout.
Made 24,5km and getting ready for some good weather tomorrow. 133km to go to the east coast!
Team member of the day is Karen Malena Kyllesø! From Hjelmeland Norway and is the youngest member of our team at 15 years old! Loves skiing and camping, and crossing Greenland seemed like the perfect combination. If successful, Karen will be the youngest girl to complete this feat!
Highlights so far including visiting DYE2 and being able to ski in a thin shirt on 31st of May!
Big dreams include skiing to both poles and her favourite expedition food is Chocolate!
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
Plowin !!!
Deep snow, low visibility, heavy going....
Long day but with a good rotation system we got over 26 km today. Good spirits but getting tired...
Team member of the day is Helmut!
From Southern Germany, or Bavaria. Works as a technician on jet aircraft and has done trips on both Spitsbergen and in the Norwegian mountains!
Strong pulka puller with a jolly mood in all conditions!
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
Bård Helge Strand sent this message from:
Lat 66.068248 Lon -41.305225
“Litt småtrått, men vi fikser dette!”
"Litt småtrått, men vi fikser dette!"
That was Erlings first comment when he did his leg up front this afternoon... "A bit heavy, but we'll manage!"
Bright sunshine and blue sky most of the day, but deeper snow that slowed us down a bit. But we still got over 27 km progress.
Team member of the day is Mirek Czésnik! Grandfather of the team, and on a meditation trip to Greenland. Formerly a manager in an international company; presently-when not crossing Greenland- studying philosophy at Warsaw University. In free time during the expedition (storms, hurricanes, etc.), writing an article on Wittgensteins logical space.
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders
Spring crossing, day 21
Cruising into snowy conditions, pretty good day!
Firm conditions in the morning changing into heavier snowy conditions in the afternoon. Partly clouded and sunny with snow in the air. So a little whiteout sometimes, but 27.5km done!
Team member number 4 is Helene!
She comes from Kirkenes, Norway. One of the northernmost outposts on the Norwegian mainland, so she was raised to handle the Arctic. Works as a math teacher and is the expeditions head of calculations! Does magic card tricks and is really good at fixing blisters and sore ankles for the other team members! We would not want to be without her!
Cheers from HurriKaren and the Stormriders!
Over the top!!!
Over the top!!! Yeeees!!
Today we finally went over the "top", the highest point of our route. From here it will be some days of flat terrain before it eventually goes "downhill".
27,5 km done and we are camping at 2500 masl.
Teammember number 3 is Khai! He is a South Vietnamese Canadian American. Living in the Bay area outside San Francisco. Spends his working days as a software engineer and is probably the biggest South Vietnamese polar hero since he has been both to the North and the South pole ! A great and experienced team member!
Cheers! HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
Bård Helge Strand sent this message from: Lat 66.204214 Lon -42.9986
Chasing the summit !!!
Chasing the summit!
This morning we set out with high hopes of making it to the "summit" which is the highest point on our route. We had 23 km to go to get there today. However the summit is a place who not always wants to be visited...
After 6 legs of skiing we had to stop and set up camp because of strong gale and stormy gusts, again....we try again tomorrow. Now we are only 8 km from summit!
Cheers!
HurriKaren and the Stormriders X 1.5.
Message sent from:

Team member number two is Erling! AKA hotdog man!
Norwegian engineer who lives in Oslo. As a Norwegian he is born with skis on his feet so naturally he is a valuable member of the team. When he is not on ski expeditions or at home with his family he is piloting jet aircraft and doing aerial acrobatics... Made the whole team extremely happy and surprised today when he pulled 9 hotdogs up from his thermos bottle during lunch.
All acompanied with ketchup, honey mustard and sprøstekt løk!